Lingnan University Forges South American Academic Partnership

Lingnan University and the Universidad de la República (University of the Republic, UdelaR), the largest public higher education institution in Uruguay, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10 February 2026 on Lingnan campus, formally establishing an academic partnership. This is an important step in advancing academic cooperation between Lingnan and universities in South America.

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, welcomes the delegation, introduces them to the university, and explores opportunities for collaboration during the meeting.

Prof Héctor Cancela, President of the UdelaR, and Mr Federico Lage, Consul-General of Uruguay in the Hong Kong SAR, led a delegation to Lingnan University, where they were welcomed by Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing, Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning, Prof Zhang Dian, Associate Dean of the School of Data Science and Person-in-Charge of the Division of Industrial Data Science, Prof Jean-Michel Morel, Chair Professor of the Division of Industrial Data Science, and Prof Bradley R. Barnes, Special Advisor to President on Internationalization and Director of Global Education.

President S Joe Qin said, “Lingnan University is committed to supporting the vision of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in developing Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub and promoting the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand. In response to changing times, the University has in recent years integrated artificial intelligence and data science elements across various disciplines, advancing its distinctive ‘Liberal Arts + Technology’ development model. More than 20 per cent of our academic and research staff were recognised by Stanford University in 2025 as being among the world’s top 2% of scientists. We look forward to working with the Universidad de la República to leverage the strengths of both institutions, advancing interdisciplinary research collaboration and developing innovative solutions to pressing global challenges.”

The delegation visits the Lingnan campus and the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI).

The signing ceremony was chaired by Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu and Prof Héctor Cancela, and attended by senior representatives of both universities. Prof Chan said “Lingnan University actively establishes partnerships with leading universities worldwide. To date, we have set up academic collaborations with over 280 institutions across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. UdelaR is the oldest public university in Uruguay, and this will open up valuable networks, academic resources, and exchanges between researchers in Lingnan and South America, making the most of both universities’ strengths, and improving knowledge transfer.”

In the MoU, the two universities will establish a framework for academic exchange and cooperation in research, and explore potential areas of collaboration, including the exchange of academic and research staff, possible student exchange, and joint academic research and publication in fields of interest to both. The partnership aims to expand cross-regional academic networks.

The UdelaR delegation toured the Lingnan campus and the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI), gaining an understanding of the University’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, which encourages faculty and students from different disciplines to design innovative humanitarian technologies together, and teaches students to address social issues through pivotal research.

Lingnan University and the Universidad de la República (University of the Republic, Udelar) sign a Memorandum of Understanding. The ceremony is officiated by Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing of Lingnan University (left), and Prof Héctor Cancela, President of the Udelar (right), with senior representatives of both universities attending the event.

Lingnan University has made considerable progress in recent years, and came first globally under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal SDG 4 (Quality Education) in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Impact Rankings 2025, the first university in the Hong Kong SAR to achieve a global first in any UN SDG. Lingnan was also in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 for the first time, one of the top 301–350 universities worldwide out of 2,191 institutions, its international outlook rated 47th. Universidad de la República (University of the Republic, Udelar) is consistently ranked as the top university in Uruguay and a premier public institution in Latin America, holding a #650 position in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.

The Hong Kong SAR imports over 90 per cent of its food, and it can be very difficult when food safety incidents occur to trace the source across a complex supply chain. Prof Leng Mingming, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Chair Professor of Operations and Risk Management at Lingnan University, has published a new study proposing the introduction of a unified product tracing system across the food supply chain. The study confirms that such a system would improve overall traceability efficiency, and analysis shows that cooperative mechanisms across supply chain tiers help reduce the entry of problematic food into the market, improving both food safety and consumer confidence. The research findings have been published in the internationally respected flagship journal IISE Transactions of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

The Faculty of Business at Lingnan University.

The international research team, comprising Prof Leng and scholars from Hunan University, the University of Southern California, and McMaster University of Ontario, developed a three-tier food processing system covering upstream producers, midstream manufacturers or wholesalers, and downstream retailers, including supermarkets and catering groups, forming a “cross-tier” network. Using cooperative game theory, the team analysed independent decision-making versus coalition-based cooperation potential profit outcomes for stakeholders. Results show that when supply chain tiers act independently up to 90 per cent of total profits may be lost, but a unified cross-tier cooperative alliance between manufacturers and retailers can reduce losses to approximately 55 per cent.

The study also explains that the fewer “separate coalitions” there are within the supply chain, the more effectively manufacturers and retailers can share traceability responsibilities, leading to higher total profits. Adopting a unified product tracing system reduces fragmented decision-making, improves operational efficiency, lowers unnecessary costs, and promotes more equitable profit allocation. This strengthens incentives for cooperation across supply chain tiers, and helps alleviate concerns among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the high costs or limited resources that may discourage participation in a unified tracing system.

Prof Leng Mingming, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Chair Professor of Operations and Risk Management at Lingnan University, has published a new study proposing a unified product tracing system across the food supply chain. The system would improve traceability efficiency and food safety management, and the findings have been published in the flagship journal IISE Transactions of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

Prof Leng noted “According to data from the Food Industry Association, about 64 per cent of consumers worldwide prefer brands that provide detailed product information and traceability records. A well-established product tracing system is better able to identify and intercept contaminated food or food that has deteriorated before it reaches retail markets, significantly reducing the risk of economic losses from product recalls.”

He added “Our study shows that cross-tier cooperation between manufacturers and retailers is key to improving overall supply chain efficiency. The Hong Kong SAR’s reliance on imported food underscores the importance of robust food traceability systems that enhance public confidence in food safety and support sustainable economic development. The use of innovative technologies such as blockchain and the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) for food monitoring has become a global trend among major retailers and food companies. As an international trade hub, the Hong Kong SAR should encourage the adoption of these technologies for supply chain transparency and long-term sustainable development in the industry.”

The study also shows that many upstream farmers and manufacturers are SMEs with limited capital and technical resources, and it is difficult for them to shoulder the costs of implementing a tracing system independently. When penalties for distributing problematic foods are high, downstream retailers and manufacturers have a greater incentive to adopt a unified tracing system to intercept compromised food, thus appropriate regulatory measures can serve as an important lever to drive technology adoption in the industry.

Prof Leng has been named the recipient of the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS)’s 2026 Dean of the Year Award. He was the sole winner selected from over 640 universities across 39 countries and regions. The award is presented annually to one outstanding dean who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in business education and consistent support for students.

Read the full study here: System-wide incentives to trace food processing: A cooperative-game analysis